Remarkable technological advancements are currently exploited and will be taken advantage including Robotics, the Internet of Things (IoT), 3D Imaging, Automated Drilling, Shaft and Tunnel Boring systems, etc. These digitized methods could help mining companies and its operation much safer, more productive, and more cost-effective. The usage of technology transforming into mining becomes trendy within the industry but prioritizing talents at the moment is a delicate issue that the Government should concern about. The World Economic Forum (WEF) predicts that innovative technological advancements will tend to be ordinary by 2025 as implementing these huge amounts of machinery results in reducing numbers of laborers even though lowering personnel costs adds value to companies. Therefore, the government must take into account the usage of automation and Artificial Intelligence (AI) and need to balance labor and talents, ensure the unemployment rate, and issue policies for appraising these advancements when managing potential risks. Several innovative advancements are demonstrated below:
Robotics: This technology is currently not implemented widely in the mining industry but has further potential effects in drilling, hauling, loading, blasting, and bolting mine roofs, and so on. For instance, robotic technology is adopted and operating in Autonomous Load Haul Dump. Robots are technological evolution encouraging a promising future, assisting humans in areas where humans are unable to dig and enter this typical industry.
IoT: Including wireless technologies, micro-electromechanical systems, and the internet, IoT is using huge of its functions within the industry, transforming technological development into safety and productivity. Radio Frequency Identification Device and sensor technologies are exemplified for IoT, automatically managing data without humans working, tracking mining operations as well as identifying and observing then automatically maintaining the operation.
Shaft and Tunnel Boring System: These are constructed underground mines for identifying deeper pits rather than applying traditional systems due to more safety underground digging, more time-consuming, and cost-efficiency.
By catching the tendency and approaching digitized technology, pioneers within the mining industry keep magnificent sustainability in development and become leaders in their field. Positively, technologies help map mineral deposits with great accuracy and recover-ability. The application of sensors and big data has positive results of 5-10% cutting operation costs and then increasing positive economic impact from $100 billion to $200 billion per year by 2025.